Re: [CR] Question

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

References: <000c01ca28c2$8d433980$a7c9ac80$@com>
To: <bill@wbpnet.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:35:41 -0400
In-Reply-To: <000c01ca28c2$8d433980$a7c9ac80$@com>
From: <verktyg@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Question


Bill,

I feel you pain.

I've seen recommendation for everything from penetrating oil to bleach as a way to remove a stuck seatpost. When all else fails, try brute force (carefully and let your conscience be your guide).

Many times you have to write off the post to get it out. With the seatpost clamped in a vise while try gently rocking the frame back and forth to loosen it.As a last resort you could try a large pipe wrenches used on the head of the seatpost.

Stuck seatposts and stems are frequently the result of galvanic corrosion. An electrochemical reaction between the steel in the frame and the aluminum in the component results in some particles of aluminum "plating out" onto the steel surface as well as a buildup of corroded aluminum material which grows between the two parts (usually aluminum oxide with is pretty inert so bleach and penetrating oil wont have much effect on it).

Last year (send the kids out of the room and cover your eyes) I acquired a very OT Miami Vice pink and yellow Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Expert bike as a novelty. It had been used in tri-athlon events for years and the poorly designed fluted Sugino seatpost allowed salt water to get into the seat tube.

I ended up cutting the top off of the Sugino seatpost and then sawing through the post to spit it so that I could finally remove it.

I used one of these saws which is an adjustable handle that holds a sawsall blade:

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/enUS/Product/TRI-FOLD__SAW.html

I had to use care to not cut into the seat tube and after cutting though the 1/4" thing casting I still had to crush it with some large slip joint pliers to break the galvanic bond. Afterward I reamed and honed the seat tube.

Coating the insides of seat tubes and steerers plus stems and seatposts with a light coat of Vaseline before assembly helps prevent this kind of corrosion. Any grease can be used but most of them contain metallic compounds while Vaseline is a pure petroleum product.

Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA

-----Original Message----- From: Bill Prouty Sent: Sat, Aug 29, 2009 9:05 am Subject: [CR] Question

I posted last week that I had purchased a 1980 bike custom build by David Hartranft who worked in Cambridge, MA with Chris Chance. I'm in the process of sorting and cleaning things and it looks pretty good. I do have a problem though in that the seat post appears to have never been moved in the bike's almost 30 years. It might as well be welded in! Any thoughts about how to get it out? It's a Campy Record post and the seat tube is Reynolds 531.

Thanks,

Bill Prouty

Wellesley, MA, USA